Former Rabbitohs Named Among 2016 NRL Ambassadors

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Eight former Rabbitohs have accepted roles as NRL Community Ambassadors for 2016. NRL Ambassadors help to improve the lives of many Australians via numerous community programs.

A record forty current and former Rugby League stars have accepted positions to be part of NRL community programs, with 15 new additions to the team, including six female ambassadors.

The list includes many former Rabbitohs players including Mario Fenech, Matt King, Nathan Merritt and Roy Asotasi.

In 2015, NRL Community Ambassadors reached more than 130,000 school students across 400 regions.

Additionally, ambassadors spent more than 2,000 hours working amongst communities right across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, helping to improve lives.

NRL Chief Operating Officer, Suzanne Young, said the NRL’s community programs were integral to the game and ultimate future success.

“Rugby League is much more than just a game. We have a big voice and a big responsibility within our communities, to live up to our mission to bring people together and enrich their lives,” Ms Young said.

“Whether our ambassadors are supporting townships to break down the stigma of mental health, mentoring young Indigenous students to make an easier transition from school to work, or standing up and speaking out about violence against women…we all have a responsibility to help build inclusiveness and positive social impact amongst communities.”

The NRL undertakes numerous community programs throughout the year, aligned to key pillars: Health; Respect; and Learn.

Programs are supported by expert partners, who enable and guide decisions aimed at providing positive experiences and outcomes.

The NRL also released its first social impact report, conducted from select 2015 community programs.

The report is one of the first amongst sporting codes in Australia and measures work undertaken in the community to effectively articulate the social, economic and environmental value that the game’s community programs contribute.

A copy of the report and further information on NRL community programs reviewed can be found online at www.nrl.com

NRL Community Background Information

General

Forty past and present rugby league players have accepted positions as NRL Community Ambassadors in 2016 – a record number of ambassadors

Six female ambassadors are part of the overall number

Former players, now ambassadors, a majority of NRL clubs

Representation across Australia, New Zealand, Indigenous and the Pacifc

Ambassadors are based across a variety of locations, with a key focus on delivering community programs to regional and rural areas in Australia and abroad

Ambassadors went through an interview and panel process before being appointed

2015 Community Statistics

Ambassadors and players spent more than 35,000 hours outside of football commitments working amongst local communities

255,392 school children were engaged during Community Carnival (February) on the values of wellbeing and living active and healthy lifestyles

41 cultural groups were engaged in various community programs

3,500 school children in Papua New Guinea were provided with community education resources

350 face to face hours were delivered for the NRL In League In Harmony program (building cohesive communities through values and respectful behaviours)

98% transition rate of students into employment and further education via the NRL School 2 Work program for Indigenous students

3.4 million people directly reached through the NRL State of Mind program, helping break down mental health stigma

Ambassadors visited more than 130,000 children (outside of Community Carnival in February) across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific, delivering community programs